A fruticose species with a yellow-green to grey-green, erect and bushy or sub-pendulous thallus. The holdfast is blackened and shows horizontal cracking only. The branches are covered in round soralia that contain both soredia and isidia.
Two chemotypes: 1) C-, K+ yellow, UV-; 2) C-, K-, UV+ whitish blue
Usnea subfloridana is common throughout Scotland where it is found on trees, fences and rock. BLS distribution map
Usnea subfloridana is distinguished from Usnea hirta by its blackened holdfast and the presence of soralia that contain both isidia and soredia. Usnea subfloridana is distinguished from Usnea wasmuthii on basis of these soralia being round rather than oval and the blackened holdfast being cracked horizontally only rather than both horizontally and vertically.
scottishlichens.co.uk 